How do you control your "road rage"? (insurance, windshield, brakes)

[ELOrocks17]

I drive 5 miles to work every day, (mostly freeway) and almost without exception I get cut off and almost swerved into every day! I look at the other drivers and see people BS'ing on thier cell phones, putting on eye makeup(!) and generally not paying attention to the road ahead. How do you handle the anger at these idiotic drivers who put your life in danger just so they can catch up on the latest gossip on thier cellphone?

[Machinist]

The best way to explain it for me is I dont want to wind up in jail or dead. When I was younger and full of ^*ss and vinegar I got into more then a few altercations on the road (not the smartest thing to do). Best hing to do is take a deep breath and just keep driving.

[ESFP]

I get caught up in the urge to get in front of the line of traffic, and seethe when someone passes me, then cuts me off to take the off-ramp 50 ft. ahead. Best thing in the world to keep me out of jail is the cruise control and stereo. I (try to) drive within 5 mph of the speed limit, crank up the tunes, and enjoy the show. Rarely do I have to alter my speed or lane change. Confession: I love it when someone blows by me and a cop pulls them over within my sight. I don't know why I get such a kick out of it.

[Crew Chief]

Driving an 80,000 pound big truck QUICKLY keeps one from getting upset at the actions of the other drivers I share the road with. I do have one story, though; Was in a construction zone on I-79 near Pittsburgh, PA. Signs (starting several miles back...) said "LEFT LANE CLOSED AHEAD" Everyone (except Mr. Big BMW ) had moved to the left lane well advance of the lane closure. So I moved my truck to where he couldn't get ahead of me. And at every on-ramp I let merging traffic in. I also went slightly below the speed limit. The sad thing was, at the end of the construction zone Mr. BMW let loose with a string of expletives and finger gestures that would've made a sailor blush. And his pre-teen son sat in the passenger seat learning from this...

[sanspeur]

Originally Posted by ELOrocks17

I drive 5 miles to work every day, (mostly freeway) and almost without exception I get cut off and almost swerved into every day! I look at the other drivers and see people BS'ing on thier cell phones, putting on eye makeup(!) and generally not paying attention to the road ahead. How do you handle the anger at these idiotic drivers who put your life in danger just so they can catch up on the latest gossip on thier cellphone?

A long time ago I faced the fact that this world has a huge population of idiots. I don't get angry, but just try to stay well away from these poor mentally handicapped souls. I suspect many will have very short lives.

I am only nervous when I'm stopped at an intersection, or going through one. I keep a wary eye on the rear view, and always plan an escape route should some moron not notice me.

[willdufauve]

I shouldn't admit this, but we all do some stupid things when we're young and foolish.

One Sunday I was driving down a main road with no other traffic in sight. A young guy pulled out of a side street in front of me, in a little red sports car, so fast and sudden I had to hit the brakes hard and almost put my face through the windshield. When he saw me hit the brakes he laughed at me and gave me the finger.

I turned around and followed him a half a mile to an area where I knew, from growing up there, that the road narrowed down from 2 lanes to one, and there was a huge oak tree on the right side.

As the right lane merged into the left and ended, I passed him in the left and he got wedged in. Wiped out the whole right side of that little red car against the oak tree.

I'm not saying that was "right" in any way but now, 40 years later, when people play games with me on the road I stay cool and calm and think to myself "you never know who you might be dealing with, my friend." If people decide to push it too far there might be a little something of my youth still in there. Hopefully not though.

[KevK]

I drive a 1974 Oldsmobile 98 to work. Liability insurance only. Go ahead and cut me off. When I slam into your car, we will see who gets the worst of it.

[willdufauve]

Originally Posted by KevK

I drive a 1974 Oldsmobile 98 to work. Liability insurance only. Go ahead and cut me off. When I slam into your car, we will see who gets the worst of it.

Is your Mercedes in the shop?

[KevK]

Originally Posted by willdufauve

Is your Mercedes in the shop?

I don't have a Mecedes. I have a Mustang GT, A Honda Accord and my little girl's Toyota Corolla S. But I would not drive any of my good cars in Atlanta Rush hour traffic because I do not wish to dent them up ramming idiot cell phone drivers out of my lane when they creep over or cut me off.

[user1000]

Originally Posted by Crew Chief

Driving an 80,000 pound big truck QUICKLY keeps one from getting upset at the actions of the other drivers I share the road with. I do have one story, though; Was in a construction zone on I-79 near Pittsburgh, PA. Signs (starting several miles back...) said "LEFT LANE CLOSED AHEAD" Everyone (except Mr. Big BMW ) had moved to the left lane well advance of the lane closure. So I moved my truck to where he couldn't get ahead of me. And at every on-ramp I let merging traffic in. I also went slightly below the speed limit. The sad thing was, at the end of the construction zone Mr. BMW let loose with a string of expletives and finger gestures that would've made a sailor blush. And his pre-teen son sat in the passenger seat learning from this...

You are the Jerk that EVERYONE hates!! And what you did was reckless and immature!